Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-27
HON. WILLIAM SMITH.

An Honored TX Governor of Nirginia-.An-
other Name Added to the List OF Nir-
ginia's Honored Dead.
POINT PLEASANT, w. VA, May 23.
To tie Editor Of he R,qi@rr.
A dispatch of half dozen lines in
length, sent out from Richmond, Nir-
ginia, on the 18th inst, announced the
death of Hon. William Smith, Ex-Governor
of that State. When he first occupied the
Gubernatorial Chair there was no State
line on the summit OF the Allegheuics, and
the jurisdiction OF the Old Dominion eX-
tended to the Ohio river. Hundreds OF
the public men of West Virginia, yet liV-
ing, were well acquainted with Governor
Smith, some OF them having occupied seats
in the General Assembly during ms AL
characterization. To these and all Others
Who knew Virginia forty years ago, brief
notice of her Chief Executive NJ that time
cannot but be OF interest.
The familiar patrOnymic, Smith, has
been most wOIthlly represented III Viz
ginia, ever since the founding Of the first
English colony on the banks Of the James.
Captain John Smith-"the Father OF the
Colony"-is one whose name Is one OF the
most prominent in Colonial annals, but he
rrturned q bachelor to England. Hence
none of the families bearing the name can
trace their ancestry to him.
The paternal ancestor ct Governor smith
WAS settled in the colony early in the sew
enteenth century, hut his descent on thus
side is not 50 well preserved Is that OF the
maternal side. Alexander DOnaphOn, u
native OF Spain, migrated to England and
thence to Virginia, where about the year
lGy2 he married Margaret, daughter OF
George Mott, and thus came into posses
sion of a large landed estate, situated IN
what is now King George county, in the
Northern Neck. There he died in lIl6,
leaving issue three sons, one Of whom be-
came the ancestor OF the distinguished Gen.
4. w. DonaphOn, Of the L. :. Army. The
second son, Alexander, married Mary
Waugh. and their first Issue, Elizabeth,
BON l7lI, died 1909; married IN lII5 Nm:
smith, by whom she had issue OF several
children. one OF whom being William,
the subject of this sketch,
horn September 9th, 1871. Early IN
vouth he attended the Old Field School oil
| his native cOunty-king GeOrge-and IN
| ISL WAS sent to Plainheld, Connecticut,
| In continue his studies at the academy OF
| J. w. Huntington, subsequently L. >.
senator from that State. Having com
Melted his studies, which included Latin
and Greek, young Smith returned 10 Nr,
! y;nia and at the age Of eighteen entered
upon the study of law, first IN the Office OF
| Tudye John ". Green at Fredericksburg,
then with T. G. Moore, oil Warrenton, ana
| finally with Gen. William III. Winder, oil
Baltimore, Md. Having passed success
GnlIy his examination he was admitted Il
the bar at Culpepper Court House in 1919
Nv his talents and energy he rose rapidly
in his profession. Impressed with the lily
nroyided mail service OF CuipcpPer county
he in 1927 secured q contract for carryln:
the mail from Fairfax Court House to War
rpntou and thence to CulPepPer Cour
House. In eight short years from thu
small beginning he established a four
horse most coach line extending from
Washington,City to Milledgeville, Ga.
Bv rapid development OF the postal fact
lTties of the southern country, the eNpen
ditures of the Department were great,
increased. In the official register of TIN
United States government the salaries o
conversations of contractors appeared II
connection with the names. That Tor IN
stances of additional service ordered 10 On
performed being indicated by an asterlsN
As the route of Mr.. smith was one
r,nid development many OF these Extras
were attached TO his contract. In 1854
violent attack was made upon the admin
istratiop of the Post Office Department
and in summing up the extra expenses
BENJAMIN Watkins Leigh Of Virginia, II
his snpech 10 the United States Senate
without calling the name OF Mr. Smith
YET affixed upon him the lifelong sobri
l1uet of Extra Billy" An ardent Demo
crat and an able orator, MIR. Smlth Sooi
achieved distinction in the political arena
He responded cheerfully to the calls OF NJ
marty though at q personal sacrifice
and persistently declined all political pre-
farmept for long period.
In 1856 he consented to become candi
date for the State Senate, TO which ne wa
elected. and served through a term OF lou
vaars He was reelected, but Resigned
aIter serving one session. The PreSiden
tial campaign of 1910 he canvasSed the en-
tire State in the interest of hLs'party, anI
Greatly increased his reputation rs publ
sneaker. In 1871 Mr. smith was electe'
70 Congress. defeating the Hon. Linn NJ
Panks and served in that body until lSlJ
In December. 1916, he WAS elected Gov
ernor of Virginia for n term of three years
succeeding James Mcdowell, January Isl
1916, In 1850 he left the odd Domr
iop,' to find home on the Pacific coast
where two of his sons were then residing
Arriving in San Francisco he engaged
: the practice of his profession, his inst con
siderable fee being three thousond dollar
Cor the examination into the celebrate
, 60, T;tla A a representative Of Sa